The Armed Man, a Mass for Peace

Zang Edam performs ‘The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace’ in the Westerkerk in Amsterdam.

‘The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace’ by Karl Jenkins is one of the most influential contemporary pieces of music, with over 3,000 performances worldwide since its premiere in 2000. Inspired by different religions and cultures, this work combines parts of the Catholic mass with texts from the Bible, the Hindu Mahabharata, the Islamic Adhaan and literature on war and peace. Written during the Kosovo crisis and dedicated to the victims of war, ‘The Armed Man’ brings a powerful message of peace and hope that resonates worldwide.

Zang Edam is led by the renowned singer and conductor Benjamin Bakker. Zang Edam was founded in 1883 and is one of the oldest mixed amateur choirs in the Netherlands.